How do you make sure you don’t lose sight of the big picture? In this blog, we’ll help you approach your master’s choice in a structured way by thinking of it as building a bridge. Choosing the right master’s program creates a link between the degree you have today and your dream job.
Starting point: your previous degree(s)
When you start exploring master’s programs, it can help to look at what degree you already have. Based on this, you can make a list of master’s programs that align with it. Did you complete a university bachelor’s degree, or do you have a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences (hbo) and want to pursue an hbo master’s? If so, check which master’s programs you’re eligible to enter directly. If you don’t need to take a pre-master’s program when transitioning from your bachelor’s to your master’s, this is a sign that the two programs align well.
If you currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences and want to start a master’s program at a research university, you’ll likely have to complete a pre-master’s program anyway. This doesn’t mean the two programs aren’t compatible. During your pre-master’s program, you’ll work on developing your academic skills, such as reading scholarly articles and conducting academic research. In this case, focus on the pre-master’s programs for which you’re eligible with your current degree.
Since there are master’s programs in just about every conceivable field of study, this approach allows you to eliminate many options right away. This can help you focus your attention on the master’s programs that most logically align with your career path so far.
What if I want to switch fields of study?
Of course, it’s also possible that you don’t want to pursue a master’s program that directly builds on your bachelor’s degree. Perhaps you’ve realized that your bachelor’s field of study doesn’t quite suit you after all, or you want to broaden your knowledge in a different direction. In this case, the path to a master’s program will likely take a bit longer. Many universities and colleges offer bridging programs to help you fill in the gaps in your knowledge. These bridging programs are often tailored to your current program of study and the admission requirements of the specific master’s program. The duration and course load of the bridging program depend on how many courses you still need to take before you have enough prior knowledge to start the master’s program.
Goal: your dream job
Another way to approach choosing a master’s program is to consider where you want to end up. Do you already know what kind of job you’d like to have when you “grow up”? If so, it can help to figure out which master’s program you need to land that (or a similar) position.
I know “what I want to be”, which program fits this?
Do you already know what kind of job you’d like to have, either right after graduation or later in your career? Congratulations! This makes it a lot easier to figure out which master’s program is the best choice for you. You can now think of your choice of master’s program as the bridge between your current qualifications and the degrees you’ll need for your dream job. For some professions, such as a heart surgeon, there’s really only one possible program. This makes your choice of master’s program a lot clearer.
For other positions, such as those in the business world, there are multiple paths that lead to the same destination. What can help you choose the right master’s program is talking to people who currently have a job you’d like to have or who work at an organization where you’d also like to end up. Ask them about their educational backgrounds. How did they land their current positions? It can also be helpful to talk to recruiters. What do they look for when evaluating different candidates for the same position? This way, you can figure out which program will bring you closest to your dream job!
I don’t know what I want to be yet
“Starting out in your dream job” sounds great. But what if you don’t know what you want to be yet? Don’t panic! Even then, your dreams for the future can help guide your choice of master’s program. Try asking yourself questions that give you a clearer picture of where you see yourself after you graduate. The answer doesn’t have to be a specific profession yet; it could also be a list of possible roles or simply a general direction. Do you feel like you still have no idea? Then start by ruling out some fields. What do you definitely NOT want to do? Once you have a better idea of what kind of career you’d like to pursue after your master’s, you can start making a list of master’s programs that align with that.
It’s perfectly normal to be unsure
Are you still unsure about what you want to do after graduation, or which master’s program to choose? That’s perfectly normal! Fortunately, the choice you make now won’t determine the rest of your life. Just think of it as the next step in your career. Choose the program that you currently think aligns well with your current degree and that you believe will bring you a step closer to your personal goals. Those personal goals might very well be different in a few years, and that’s okay.
The key is, even if you’re still unsure, not to get stuck but to keep moving forward in your decision-making process. At the Master’s Fair, you’ll find various educational institutions and can ask questions about their master’s programs. That way, you’ll slowly but surely figure out what suits you as a person and aligns with your dreams!
Claim your free ticket now and start exploring your master’s options!
